this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2023
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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edit: hey guys, 60+ comments, can't reply from now on, but know that I am grateful for your comments, keep the convo going. Thank you to the y'all people who gave unbiased answers and thanks also to those who told me about Waydroid and Docker

edit: Well, now that's sobering, apparently I can do most of these things on Windows with ease too. I won't be switching back to Windows anytime soon, but it appears that my friend was right. I am getting FOMO Fear of missing out right now.

I do need these apps right now, but there are some apps on Windows for which we don't have a great replacement

  1. Adobe
  2. MS word (yeah, I don't like Libre and most of Libre Suit) it's not as good as MS suite, of c, but it's really bad.
  3. Games ( a big one although steam is helping bridge the gap)
  4. Many torrented apps, most of these are Windows specific and thus I won't have any luck installing them on Linux.
  5. Apparently windows is allowing their users to use some Android apps?

Torrented apps would be my biggest concern, I mean, these are Windows specific, how can I run them on Linux? Seriously, I want to know how. Can wine run most of the apps without error? I am thinking of torrenting some educational software made for Windows.



Let me list the customizations I have done with my xfce desktop and you tell me if I can do that on Windows.

I told my friend that I can't leave linux because of all the customization I have done and he said, you just don't like to accept that Windows can do that too. Yeah, because I think it can't do some of it (and I like Linux better)

But yeah, let's give the devil it's due, can I do these things on Windows?

  1. I have applications which launch from terminal eg: vlc would open vlc (no questions asked, no other stuff needed, just type vlc)
  2. Bash scripts which updates my system (not completely, snaps and flatpaks seem to be immune to this). I am pretty sure you can't do this on Windows.
  3. I can basically automate most of my tasks and it has a good integration with my apps.
  4. I can create desktop launchers.
  5. Not update my system, I love to update because my updates aren't usually 4 freaking GB and the largest update I have seen has been 200-300 mbs, probably less but yeah, I was free to not update my PC if I so choose. Can you do this on Windows? And also, Linux updates fail less often, I mean, it might break your system, but the thing won't stop in the middle and say "Bye Bye, updates failed" and now you have to waste 4GB again to download the update. PS: You should always keep your apps upto date mostly for security reasons, but Linux won't force it on you and ruin your workflow.
  6. Create custom panel plugin.

  1. My understanding is that the Windows terminal sucks? I don't know why, it just looks bad.

I am sure as hell there are more but this is at the top of my mind rn, can I do this on Windows. Also, give me something that you personally do on Linux but can't do it on Windows.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

You cant install windows without internet anymore. I just saw that yesterday for the first time, win 11 pro instalation didnt let me go further without ethernet cable connected

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

you can do anything without ever using a desktop environment

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I like Linux for a lot of reasons, but the reason I was dualbooting the most was more packages for AI and the like just worked on it and I was programming.

The reason I deleted my windows partition though was I had a faulty drive that on windows ment I would crash all the time, but my Linux boot just worked for like another year on the failing disk with no issue. When I got a new drive I just installed Linux and didn't bother getting Windows again.

I have to Linux for work sometimes and the biggest pet peeve for me is that the app search bar is always slow or broken. Like it is so good on KDE, I default to superkey, search app, enter compared to opening any lists of menus.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

I've been an on and off Linux user for a long time, but my main OS used to be Windows. I recently switched to Linux (Arch btw) and I love it.

For my use cases, here is what I like about windows:

  • Office 365
  • Gaming
  • Onedrive
  • Just works
  • touch screen and touch pad
  • Hardware support
  • Autohotkey (can live without)
  • Software compatibility
  • VR
  • Parsec

Here is what I like about Linux

  • Dynamic tiling window managers.
  • Customization, I can have my notifications on the top right, the way I like them.
  • Smooth as fuck: very fast!
  • Very clever solutions (looking into NixOS currently for example)
  • Terminal: fun to use and it's fast!
  • Much more control over my system.

The things I dislike about windows are mainly that it's stupid slow compared to Linux and the growing presence of telemetry and ads (though I wasn't that affected). Also, I can't replace windows default shortcuts or some functionalities.

What I dislike about Linux is that there is always something that doesn't work properly. I currently have issues with DPMS. My laptop has trouble with the behavior if the touchpad, sometimes the gestures work, sometimes they don't, it depends on its mood I guess. I tried Wayland, but with a nvidia card it has a lot of issues, I had to go back to X which sucks since I really prefer the way wayland works. I'm quite technical, but sometimes the solutions don't really work.

I read a few things in this thread that I disagree with though, namely:

  • You can launch apps from PowerShell (terminal)
  • You can have package managers, I used scoop, choco and winget. Every app that I use can be installed and updated with those, from PowerShell.
  • Pretty sure you can update your system from PowerShell, then you probably can make a script to update everything.
  • You can disable auto-updates and auto-reboot in Windows. I never had my computer reboot on me and it stays open 24/7. What I liked is auto-update, but no auto-reboot. I chose when to reboot, only had a notification which was disabled when I was playing a game.
  • There are options for launchers, the windows menu or powertoy run.
  • You can create shortcuts (similar to .desktop) and you can also make a bat script instead of a bash script.

A lot of comments are about a knowledge deficit, not a capability deficit from Windows.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Plug in every USB i find on the ground without fear.

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[–] [email protected] -2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I like linux for development but for just using the pc for entertainment... windows is just better.

Linux and mac are wonderful for software development. I use a mac with linux VM at work

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I like linux for development but for just using the pc for entertainment… windows is just better.

For what exactly? Steam runs on Linux now. With Proton, even trendy new games like Baldur's Gate 3 run great.

Watching video? VLC is the standard video player.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 1 year ago (8 children)

My understanding is that the Windows terminal sucks? I don't know why, it just looks bad.

Your understanding is wrong. I've tried 8 different terminals on mac, arch and kubuntu, and I miss Windows Terminal every day. It looks good and the config is a pleasure. I don't expect Linux to look pretty, but MacOS had fucking awful font rendering and it's supposed to be this upmarket OS for moneyed pricks in black turtlenecks. Was everyone in unixland busy doing drugs while Microsoft was implementing anti-aliasing? Is clear legible type for losers?

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